Valve mechanism for internal-combustion engines



y 0- v. H. ANDERSON 1,770,665

VALVE MECHANISM FOR- INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES 1 Filed Sept. 8. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 15, 1930. v. H. ANDERSON 1,770,665

VALVE MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Sept. 8, 192a 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wail)??? Patented July 15, 1930 res VICTOR H; ANDERSON, OF PORTLAND, MAINE, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-SIXTH T0 GEORGE L.

RATCLIFFE, GE SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE, 01*? SIXTH TO NATHAN W. THOIVIPSQN, AND GEE-SIXTH TO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOEMENT & MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, ALL OF PORTLAND, IJEAINE VALVE MECHANISM FOR INTEBITAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES Application filed September 8, 1928. Serial No. 304,778.

This invention relates to valve mechanism for multicylinder internal combustion engines, one of its objects being to provide a valve mechanism adapted for operation in combination with two cylinders of the engine. Another object is to provide a valve mechanism requiring but one port in each cylinder for handling both intake and ex haust gases, and designed so as to permit a long period of maximum port opening during intake and exhaust strokes. Another object is to provide a valve mechanism which is so constructed as to permit heating of the intake gases by the hot exhaust gases, so that high engine efficiency may be developed. Still another object is to provide a quiet-running valve mechanism which may be driven from the crank shaft of the engine and which is generally reliable in operation. 7

Further features and advantageous details and combinations of parts will appear from a more complete description of an embodiment of the invention shown on the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 shows in plan View a portion of an engine embodying the valve mechanism of the present invention.

vFigure 2 is a section on Figure 1.

Figures 3, 1, 5 and 6 are sections on the line 3 3 of Figure'Q, respectively showing the valve mechanisms in different positions during a cycle of events.

Figures '7 and 8 show in perspectwe certain parts of the mechanism.

Figure 9 is a somewhat diagrammatic representaton of a secton through a cylnder andthe crank case of the engine, showing how the valve mechanism is riven.

Referring in detail first to Figure 1 of the drawings, 1 designates the block of a multicylinder internal combustion engine as a whole, the block comprising any suitable number of cylinders. The valve mechanism of the present invention is adapted for operation with two cylinders, so that in any multithe line 2-2 of cylinder engine the number of valve mechanisms required will be one-half the number of its cylinders. As best shown in Figure 2, thevalve mechanism is of the rotary type that they may be made to register with cylindrical ports 7 extending through the block from the outer end thereof to the outer ends of the cylinders 3 and t. The ports 5 and 6 are preferably of a width equal to the diameter of the cylinder ports '7, so that maximum port opening may be realized when fresh gases are being taken into a cylinder or burned gases are being exhausted therefrom. They are shown each occupying almost a quadrant, as this permits maximum port opening, which is maintained during the greater part of the intake and exhaust period. v

The intake gases pass from an intake mani fold 9 into an intake chamber 10 formed outside the valve member through a casing 18 fastened as by bolts 19 to the cyiinoer block To prevent the intake gases from mixing with the exhaust gases, an exhaust chamber 10 is closed ofi from the intake chamber by a partition 11, which is shown in Figure 2 projecting from the outer face of the valve member into the intake chamber. This partition extends angularly at 12 from the mar- TXTI-I TQ ARTH'UE A. BLACK, ONE- ginal portion of the valve member, then turns 7 at 13 in parallel relation with the member toward the center of the member, whereat it terminates as an internally threaded hub 14:, with which the inner end of a. hollow journal 16 is engaged as shown by Figure 2. The intake gases entering the intake chamber 10 come in contact with the partition 11 and surround the hub 14 so that they are indirect- 1y heated by the exhaust gases before being taken into the cylinder. In order to obtain efficient heating ofthese gases, the partition 11 is preferably provided with heat-radiating members, such as the fins 160, projecting into the intake chamber. T

Provision is made to prevent leakage of gases from the cylinders into the intake chamher, and oil or other foreign material in the intake chamber from working its way into the c linders. As shown in Figure 2, the angu ar marginal portion 2 of the valve member 2 is in sliding engagement with a bearing ring 17 fixed in the casing 18. The valve member is resiliently forced against the bearing ring by sleeve members 20.,which engage in the cylinder ports. Each of these sleeve members has a flanged outer end 21 slidahly engaging the inner face of the valve member, the flange being surrounded by a ring member 22fitted into a recess about the outer end of the cylinder port and held in place as by screws 220. The member 22 has a pair of spring leaves 25 received in grooves 250 on its inner face, as shown in Figures 2 and 7 which engage und'erthe flanged outer end of' the sleeve member 20 and serve to maintain itin tight sliding engagement with thevalve member, and the valve member in tight sliding engagement with the bearing 17. The sleeve 20 is preferably periphrm erafiy grooved, shown in Figure 8,. and in it! grooves are fitted a series of expansion- 24 tightly en aging the wall of the po 'Z'te prevent leaiage of gases.

Assuming that the valve member isin the itionshown in Figures 1' and 2, the exoust ses pass from the cylinder 3 through the port 6 and thence through the exhaust chamber 10 into the journal 16. The journull-must. therefore rotate while leakage of glses therefrom is prevented. To this end, the journalis shown rotating'within a fixed bushing 27 having a flanged outer end 28 which together with a circular wall 18 projecting outwardly from the-casing 18- forms an annulus in which suitable packing material, sueh as-asbestos, is kept. Leakage of the exhaust gases by this packing into the intake chamber of the valve is prevented by a bilshin 30, which rotates outside of the fixed bus ing 27 intight contact with the packing. The bushing 30'is shown fixed for rotation to the valve member by a flange 31 extending outwardly from the jOllIIlgl 16 and em inst a complemental a-nge 32 on; the l is liiiig 30 The bushing 27 is fixed to the casing by a screw cap 33, which is in threaded engagement with the outer end of tlm casing wall 18; The cap fastened to an exhaust manifold 35 by bolts 34.

As shown in Figure 2, the valve member 2 has a central aperture in which is received a driving shaft 300, which is keyed to the memberand fixed against longitudinal motion by a mrew 31 threaded into the end portion of the shaft and flanged at its head to engage the outenface of the member. The valve member is shown provided on its inner face with an annular rib 32 surrounding the shaft 306. andreceived in a complemental recess 330 in the cylinder block. The shaft 300.,which ismtated at an angular speed equal to one- .half; of the crank shaft of the engine, is

33 is shown shown by Figure 9 passing through a suitable opening formed through the cylinder block into the crank case of the engine, wherein it is journaled. in a suitable bracket 3'4 fixed to the crank case. A helical gear 38 is shown fixed to the end portion of the shaft beyond the bracket 37, this gear meshing with a suitable gear 36 fixed to the crank shaft of the engine.

In Figure 3 is shown the position of the valve member 2 when an exhaust stroke has started in cylinder 3. The valve exhaust port 6 is shown in registry with the cylinder port, and continues in such registry during most of the exhaust stroke, so that complete removal of the exhaust gases from this cylinder is ensured. While exhaust is taking place in cylinder 3, the valve inlet port 5 moves into registry with the cylinder port 7 so that intake of fresh gases takes place in that c linder. \Vhen the exhaust stroke is com eted in cylinder 6 and, an intake stroke has egun therein, the valve intake port 5 moves intoregistry with the cylinder port 6, as shown in Figure 4, compression at the same time beginning to take place in cylinder f as thevalve member closes off its cylinder port. Figure 5 indicates the position of the valve member when intake is just being completed in cylinder 3, while compression is just being completed in cylinder at. The mixture is then fired in cylinder 4, spark plu 39 passing through the side wall of the cylinder block into the outer ends of the cylinder be ing shown. for this purpose. The power stroke thus takes place in cylinder 4 while the intake gases are being compressed in cylinder 3. After the power stroke has been completed in cylinder 4, the valve exhaust port moves into registry with the port of this cylinder, so that the burned gases are exhausted therefrom while at the same time the com 'n'essed intake gises are fired in c linder 3 and the power stroke begins therein.

Having thus described an embodiment of this invention, it is evident that various changes and modifications might be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. Mechanism of the class described, comprising in combination, a block having a pair of cylinders, ports extending from the outer face of the block through said block to the outer ends of said cylinders. a valve member a pair of cylinders, ports extending from the outer face of the block through said block to the outer ends of the cylinders, a rotary disc-shaped valve member seated on said block cooperating with said ports, an intake chamber outside said member, a partition substantially of quadrant size projecting into said intake chamber and closing olf an exhaust chamber from said intake chamber, an arcuate-shaped valve port for each of said chambers and regist ably arranged with said cylinder ports so as to permit intake to take place in one of the cylinders while exhaust is taking place in the other cylinder, and means for rotating said valve member. 3. Mechanism of the class described, c0mprising in combination, a block comprising a pair of cylinders, ports extending from the outer face of the block through said block to the outer ends of said cylinders, a discshaped valve member having intake and ex haust ports seated on said block and cooperating with said cylinder ports, a casing forming an intake chamber outside said member, and with which said member is in sliding engagement, and resilient means for maintaining said valve in tight sliding engagement with said casing, said mechanism including an exhaust chamber independent of said intake chamber and into which the exhaust passes from the valve exhaust port.

4. Mechanism of the class described, comprising in combination, a block comprising a pair of cylinders, cylindrical ports extending from the outer face of the block through said block to the outer ends of said cylinders, a disc-shaped valve member having intake and exhaust ports seated on said block and cooperating with said cylinder ports, a casing forming an intake chamber outside said member, a bearing ring in said casing with which the marginal portion of said member makes sliding contact, and resilient means maintaining said member in tight slidr ing engagement with said ring, said mechanism including an exhaust chamber independent of said intake chamber and into which the exhaust passes from the valve exhaust port.

5. Mechanism of the class described, comprising in combination, a block comprising a pair of cylinders, ports formed from the outer face of said block through said block to the outer ends of the cylinders, a rotary, discshaped valve member seated on said block and co-operating with said ports, a casing enclosing an intake chamber outside said 1I16111- her, an exhaust chamber partition projecting from the outer face of said member into saic intake chamber and terminating as a hub into which the exhaust gases pass, a hollow journal having an inner end engaged by said hub, and a bushing in which said journal is rotatable.

6. Mechanism of the class described, comprising in combination, a block comprising a pair of cylinders, ports formed from the outer face of said block through said block to the outer ends of the cylinders, a rotary, disc-shaped valve member seated on said block and cooperating with said ports, a casing enclosing an intake chamber outside said member, an exhaustchamber partition projecting from the outer face of said member into said intake chamber and terminating as a hub into which the exhaust gases pass, a hollow journal having an inner end engaged by said hub, a bushing in which said journal is rotatable, a circular wall projecting outwardly from said casing and forming an annulus with said bushing, and a packing material in said annulus to prevent the escape of exhaust gases from between said journal and said bushing.

7. Mechanism of the class described, comprising in combination, a block comprising a pair of cylinders, ports formed from the outer face of said block through said block to the outer ends of the cylinders, a rotary, disc-shaped valve member seated on said block above said ports, a casing enclosing an intake chamber outside said member, an exhaust chamber partition'projecting from the outer face of said member into said intake chamber and terminating as a hub into which the exhaust gases pass, a hollow journal having an inner end engaged by said hub, a bushing in which said journal is rotatable, a circular wall projecting outwardly from said casing and forming an annulus with said bushing, a packing material in said annulus, and another bushing engaging said valve member and rotatable on said first-mentioned bushing in sliding contact with said packing material.

8. Mechanism of the class described, comprising in combination, a block comprising a pair of cylinders, ports formed from the outer face of said block through said block to the outer ends of the cylinders, a rotary, disc-shaped valve member seated on said block and cooperating with said ports, a casing enclosing an intake chamber outside said member, an xhaust chamber partition projecting from the outer face of said member into said intake chamber and terminating in a hub into which the exhaust gases pass, a hollow journal having an inner end engaged by said hub, a bushing in which said journal is rotatable having a flanged upper end, circular wall projecting outwardly from the casing over which said flanged end engages, a screw cap in threaded engagement with the outer end of said wall and maintaining said flanged upper end fixed thereto, and an exhaust manifold with which said journal communicates, fixed to said cap.

In testimony whereof I have atiixed my signature.

VICTOR H. ANDERSON. 

